Game apparatus



June 8, 1937. w T. c. HENSE' 2,083,119

GAME APPARATUS Filed April :5, 1936 Patented June 8, 1937 UNITED STATES GAME APPARATUS Theodore C. Hense, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Application April 3, 1936, Serial No. 72,505

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in game apparatus and has for its objects to provide a game which is interesting and entertaining and which involves the element of skill.

Other particular objects of the invention will appear hereinafter from the description following, taken in connection with drawing accompanying this application, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the apparatus,

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the actuating blades, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the 15 guard members.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawing.

In the accompanying drawing l designates the base board of the apparatus which is in the form of a circular board having the upper surface of concave curvature.

To the peripheral edge of the base board is secured an annular vertical wall forming strip ti, rising above the upper surface of the board. 'Adjacent the peripheral edge of the base board are formed a plurality of round pocket apertures l2 arranged at regularly spaced intervals.

As shown at Figure 2, the board is equipped with a plurality of legs 1 4 adapted to support the same in an elevated position upon a table or similar support, as indicated by dotted lines.

Through an' opening at the centre of the board is extended a shaft I5 having connection with a suitable driving means, as for instance the electric motor [6. The-motor is arranged below the board and is fixed to a centre aperture of a roller impelling wheel [8.

In a groove formed in the periphery of the wheel I8 is tightly fitted an annular band IQ, of rubber or other suitable material, having formed thereon a plurality of blades 20 disposed to project in approximately radial positions from the circumferential edge of the horizontal wheel. The blades are preferably formed with a diminishing taper toward the outer extremity and actually assume a slight angle to the radius of the wheel. At the outer end the edge portion of each blade is formed to provide an arcuate concavity or indentation 2|. This is designed so as to impart a spin to the roller member, which will be later described.

In radial alignment with each pocket aperture H is provided a removable guard member, generally indicated at 23, embodying an elongated body bar 24 bent at its inner extremity to form a right angular arm 25. On the opposed end of the body bar is secured an actuating handle 26.

At the intermediate portion of the body is formed a right angularly projecting pivot rod 21 extending parallel with the arm 25 and adapted to be 5 rotatably fitted in a socket 28 attached to the exterior of the wall. When mounted in operative arrangement the body bar extends horizontally across the top of the annular wall H and the arm 25 assumes a position inwardly of the pocket aperture l2. By engaging the handle 26 the guard member may be readily swung to actuate the arm 25 in an arcuate movement in front of the pocket aperture. As shown at Figure 2, the lower end of the guard arm 25 terminates slightly above the top playing surface of the board.

Below each pocket aperture 12 is supported a receiving pocket 30 removably held in position by curved pins or the like.

During play the wheel I8 is rotated and balls 32, of a diameter less than that of the apertures l2 so as to be received in the apertures, are placed on the board adjacent the wall, whence they roll by force of gravity on the concave surface against the wheel. The blades impel the balls rapidly upon the board toward the edge wall and in many cases toward the pocket apertures l2. The concave depression at the outer end of each blade tends to spin the balls as they are rolled from the wheel and to cause the same to describe a curved path. A player is stationed at each aperture and actuates the guard member with a View to preventing entry of the balls in the pocket aperture guarded by him.

By skilled manipulation, that is pivotal swinging movement of the guard, the arm 23 is to be disposed in position to intercept any ball directed towards the aperture. Such operation requires quick and skillful movement of the guard device inasmuch as the balls travel at a relatively high rate of speed and also move in a curved path so as to render interception more difficult. If the guard is not properly actuated it is likely that a number of the balls will enter the pocket at his station, scoring against such player. I also contemplate using a number of balls of varying colors having scoring values. The player having the least number of points scored against him by entry of balls into the pocket at his station is the winner of the game.

As will be noted, skill in the operation of the guard may be developed to such a degree as to toward the pocket of an adjacent player in an efiort to score against such player.

Having thus described my invention, I wish it to be understood that numerous and extensive departures may be made from the embodiments herein illustrated and described but without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the claims. -What I claim is:

1. A game comprising a board having a plurality of ball receiving apertures adjacent the periphery, a ball propelling member rotatably mounted at the central portion of the board,

aperture adapted to receive balls rolled on the board, a guard element adapted to extend substantially perpendicular to the board connected to a support adapted for pivot connection on the board so that the guard element is capable of swinging movement in an eccentric are about the aperture to intercept balls rolling toward the aperture.

3. In a game having a board provided with an aperture adapted to receive balls rolled on the board, a bar arranged substantially parallel with the board and supported on a pivot adjacent the "aperture and a guard arm at one end of the bar arranged substantially perpendicular to the board capable of arcuate swinging movement about the aperture in such position as to enable interception of the balls to prevent entry thereof into the aperture. 7

THEODORE C. HENSE. 

